Ethics Unit Sees Conflict For Parkland

April 7, 1985|By Gary Enos and Carl Hulse, Staff Writers

PARKLAND — The Florida Ethics Commission has squelched a Parkland woman`s attempt to serve on the city`s Planning and Zoning Board while working for the engineering firm that makes recommendations to the board.

The commission ruled that Adolphine Lazowick`s job at the Fort Lauderdale engineering firm of Keith & Schnars could inhibit her ability to consider the company`s recommendations impartially.

``Employment with a firm whose recommendations continually must come before one`s board would tend to lead to disregard of one`s public duty to remain independent and impartial when reviewing those matters,`` the commission`s opinion states.

Lazowick was to be appointed to the board at the March 20 City Commission meeting. Instead, commissioners decided to submit the issue to the Ethics Commission and abide by that body`s suggestion.

``No impropriety occurred, because Ms. Lazowick never served on the board,`` Deputy City Attorney Nancy Cousins said.

Keith & Schnars became the consulting engineer for the city in February. Lazowick`s father is the owner of the firm, and she is the head of the company`s computer division.

When asked about the Ethics Commission decision, Lazowick said, ``I realize what they`re saying, but I feel as an individual that I could have served without having a conflict.``

She acknowledged that the prevalence of conflict of interest cases has made the Ethics Commission touchy toward matters such as hers.

``I guess they`re somewhat justified in what they`re doing, but I feel I could have done a good job for the citizens of Parkland,`` Lazowick said.

She added that while she works in the firm`s computer division, most of the recommendations going to the board would come from a different group of employees.

The case is somewhat unusual in that conflicts normally arise with board members who also work for developers.

Still, the Ethics Commission stated, ``We understand the words `independent and impartial` to mean not favoring either the developer`s interests or the position of the city engineer.``

Cousins said that Lazowick would not have been able to abstain on critical votes unless she had a financial interest in the matter being debated. ``This is to prevent public officials from bucking important issues,`` she said.

Lazowick said she has no plans to leave her father`s company in order to gain a seat on the board.

``I`ve worked here just about all my life, so I can`t simply get up and leave,`` she said.